Friday 8th August

    Somerset Council has paused roadworks on Fore Street in Chard indefinitely due to unforeseen complications. A Somerset farming family says they've lost faith in the government over plans to introduce inheritance tax on farm estates. Memories are being revived of a Live Aid concert in Yeovil from 40 years ago, which raised money for famine relief in Ethiopia.

    Somerset Council has paused roadworks on Fore Street in Chard indefinitely due to what it calls unforeseen complications. The repairs, which began in June and were meant to finish by early July, have frustrated local business owners who claim footfall on the High Street in Chard has plummeted.

    A Somerset farming family says they've lost faith in the government over plans to introduce inheritance tax on farm estates. Labour says the move will only affect the 500 wealthiest landowners and is aimed at preventing land from not being used for agriculture. But the Kimber family, who've been farming in Wincanton for 80 years, say government policies are unfairly penalising hard-working farming families.

    People in Wincanton could miss out on £240,000 for new local facilities if changes to a housing development are approved. Devonshire Homes is building 31 homes at Dancing Green near Wincanton Community Hospital and is seeking to remove its financial contributions for schools, health and leisure, citing viability concerns. Somerset Council is due to decide on the revised plans by early autumn.

    Adult education courses in Somerset have been cancelled due to changes in government funding. Maths and English taught as a foreign language, and other Level-2 qualifications will no longer be offered, following updates to the Adult Skills Fund. Somerset Council says it will no longer fund the courses, but that anyone already enrolled will still be able to finish their qualifications.

    Building 600 new homes in Yeovil could soon go ahead following the introduction of a new phosphate credit scheme. Plans to build around 12,000 new homes across Somerset are currently delayed due to a lack of phosphate mitigation. New credits, created by fallowing farmland near Yeovil, will allow for work to start building the 600 homes.

    Memories are being revived of a Live Aid concert in Yeovil from 40 years ago, when 17 bands played at the Johnson Hall to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. A film of the event, held on August 30th 1985, is being shown at the Quicksilver Mail pub on Thursday, 28th August, for which tickets are now on sale. 

    More from News

    • Wednesday 29th April

      Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more

    • Tuesday 28th April

      Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more

    • Monday 27th April

      A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more

    • Friday 24th April

      Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more

    • Thursday 23rd April

      Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more

    • Wednesday 22nd April

      Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more

    • Tuesday 21st April

      NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more

    • Monday 20th April

      Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 10°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 9°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 9°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 22°C | Low: 10°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 10°C

    Recently Played